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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Glory to Him Forever!

Since yesterday marked the beginning of Hanukkah in the Jewish religion, it got me wondering about Jewish Holy Days in the Eastern Churches. Does the East had any celebrations celebrating the Jewish Holy Days in light of Christ in her liturgies?

Adam

I would say sure we do. In fact, I think it is accurate to say our entire religion is Judaism recast in the Light of Christ. Real obvious particular feasts include Pentecost and the feast of feasts, Pascha (Zadeeg in Armenian).

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Glory to Him Forever!

AMEN! I have taught the "Judaism in light of Christ" truth for a long time. I find it even more true as I study and practice Eastern Christianity.

How are the Feast of Tabernacles, and Hanukah observed? I might do a little research into that.

Adam

Chanukah isn't celebrated at all that I'm aware of in the Church and so I'm afraid you will need to get your own menorah!
Happy Chanukah!

Dear Friend in Christ,

Yes, as Ghazarian pointed out, Pascha, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles are celebrated by the Church, taken over from Judaism.

Tabernacles if the Feast of the Transfiguration and in some Eastern Churches it is called "Tabernacles" referencing Peter's cry to the Transfigured Lord about placing three tents on Mt. Tabor for Christ, Moses and Elias.

Although Hanukkah is not celebrated, the Maccabean Martyrs, who are related to this feast, most certainly are.

Their feast is on August 1st (our Administrator's birthday, by the way) and on August 14th according to the true, er, "Old" Calendar .

There is a wonderful East Slavic tradition associated with the Feast of the Maccabees. Since "Mac" or "Mak" in Ukrainian or Russian means "Poppyseeds," poppyseeds are blessed on their feast day and are kept for the Kutia or boiled wheat used for Christmas Eve celebrations.

The poppyseeds are a symbol of happiness and joy which is why they are never mixed in with the Kutia used at funerals.

The Ethiopian Church has a much greater array of Judaic holidays and celebrations and they even celebrate the "Lord's Day" over two days - Saturday AND Sunday.

Alex

Thank you, Alex, for providing all of this ... I missed on the Maccabean martyrs, big-time! It's amazing how quickly one can get filled in on needed info 'round here.

I guess that takes care of Theosis' menorah ...

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Glory to Him Forever!

Yes it did! Thanks, you all for answering my questions! The Jewish connection between Eastern Christianity and Judaism just leaves me so much in awe .

Adam

The Syrian Churches keep feasts that look like they have been influenced by Judaism. The Feast of the Transfiguration is still called "The Feast of Tabernacles" for us. Holy Thursday's official name is not Holy Thursday, but Pesaho, which comes from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning, you guessed it, Passover. I think Pentecost was/is a Jewish feast, though without all the speaking in tongues. In addition, the first Sunday of the liturgical year, the First Sunday of Advent, is called the Sunday of the Dedication (Consecration) of the Church or Kudosh 'Idto. This is related to the celebration of Hannukah, which was a feast in honour of the dedication of the Jewish Temple. Also, there are a few feasts in honour of the Virgin Mother of God that are related to the agricultural cycle, though I'm not sure if we are the only ones who have it...maybe others do as well.

Dear Qathuliqa Mor Ephrem,

With respect to the agricultural cycle, I just remembered there is a much venerated Russian icon of the Mother of God called "She who multiplies the wheat."

It is quite beautiful and depicts her above wheat-fields with arms upraised in prayer to her Son.

The Assyrians, also, I believe observed Holy Thursday as the Passover, as do the Ethiopians who have a special Passover meal on Holy Thursday in their homes.

A number of our Latin Catholic parishes here have special Passover meals in their church basements on Holy Thursday through our office of Christian-Jewish relations.

Alex

Dear Communion of Saints,

Actually, the Eastern Churches have a menorah on the altar itself, the seven stick lampada that reflects the seven Mysteries or Sacraments.

St Alexander Men was a Russian Jew who converted to Orthodoxy and became a priest.

He had a menorah set up in his home in his icon corner.

Last week, on the first night of Chanukah, there was an EWTN program featuring a Jewish convert to Catholicism who wore a Yarmulke and discussed the meaning of Chanukah.

He had an icon of our Lord with a prayer shawl in front of it on a table on which the nine-candled menorah of Chanukah stood.

The Hebrew Catholic Association is slowly forming a "Jewish Rite" within Catholicism and they have their own website and publish their own journal where they discuss Jewish traditions and how Hebrew Catholics may meaningfully include them in private devotion.

Alex

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Glory to Him Forever!

I watched that show, Alex . I felt like a Jewish young man learning the traditions of my faith .

When is the article you are supposed to write for the Hebrew Catholics going to be out, Alex?

I once read that the Hebrew Catholic Association isn't trying to form a "rite" but just a community. In any case, I think it would be helpful for the church in many ways .

Adam

Dear Adam,

Yes, a "community" but I think we should work on them and explain what a "Particular Church" really is!

I'm not set up with my computer at home, and so the delay with the article . . .

There's nothing wrong with Christians celebrating Chanukah or Passover. I think it solidifies us as true spiritual Semites and makes Christ all that much more alive to us.

It was Martin Buber, the Jewish philosopher, who once told a Protestant minister that "We Jews understood him (Yeshua haMashiach) in a way you never will."

And he was right . . .

Baruch haShem Adonai!

Alex

Theosis,
I must thank you for asking this question, since through it we've gotten so much wonderful material. I realized as soon as I posted that in fact I knew nothing about the Eastern observances - just that there wasn't one for Chanukah. I never realized how much stuff can get posted on a topic in so short a time (right, ChristTeen?)

Alex,
It is now Saint Alexander Men? I didn't realize that. Yes, I have read about him - there are books out about and by him. There was a large book with photos in it that I saw a few years ago in a bookstore by someone named Yves something - I cannot recall the last name - he was French (Roman Catholic I think) and it was all about Father Men and their friendship ... but the book disappeared and I never saw it again. Does this sound familiar?

So you are writing an article for the Hebrew Catholics? I have heard of this group. Will you let us know how we can see your piece, please?

Is the seven-branched menorah, I mean, lampada, you mentioned, in most Eastern churches? I don't recall one in the Orthodox ones I visited, but maybe I was busy looking at other things and didn't notice it!! I will let you know, though, when I manage to vist an Eastern in -communion- with -Rome church.

Anyway, thank you all for this great information. It is amazing how not just in a general sense, but quite specifically, the Judaic celebrations are incorporated so fully in the Eastern scheme of things.

oops, I went back and read your post more carefully, Mor Ephrem - thank you for all of that information including the Chanukah connection.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Glory to Him forever!

I learned a lot from this topic too . Much more than I expected to learn.

Adam